Page 43 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Theyare missing.”
“Fuck,”Revexhaled, shaking his head and running his hands down his face.
TalonandIlyenna’slumens rushed to them, jumping and whining in their greeting.
“Parvus?”Igazed out into the trees as ifPompeiiwas wrong.AsifI’dsee him and his mother,Rauca, bounding over the underbrush to greet us at any moment.Iwould brush my hands across his ears and check for more signs of seeds, moss, or vines.Histongue would loll from the side of his mouth and he’d give me that impatient whine before turning for me to hop onto his back.
Buthe didn’t.Andhe wouldn’t.Thesilence that followed between the five of us only fueled my worry.We’daccepted it, then.Mychaelwas gone.Rellwas gone.Ourlumens were gone as well, and we knew exactly who had called them to her.
Iexhaled in a quick release, focusing on whatPompeiineeded from me.Iclimbed onto the back of the lumen he calledBoroswithRevsettling in behind me.Thislumen was the only oneI’dever seen large enough to carry two riders.
Allfive of us seated,IaskedPompeiias we began our ride throughFelgrenback to theFortress, “WhyamIspecifically needed?”
“It’sPrincePhilius.He’s—”Pompeiicleared his throat, continuing, “Withthe help ofRenn, he has cut off his own hands.”
Chapter22
Rev
Morecurses escaped me.
Isqueezed the sides ofBoros, urging him to run faster through the forest trails, taking the quickest, but less trodden one that led right to theFortressdoors.
Ineedn’t bother, though.Karuswas already whispering words of magic in his ears, giving him some of her power so that he moved easily and seamlessly through the underbrush.Shecalled to the wind to help guide his way, the air moving swiftly as he bounded over logs, bushes, and fallen debris with ease.
Whatwould have taken over an hour, became merely half of one as we reached the tall, black towers of theFortress.Pompeii,Talon, andIlyennawould still be far behind us.
Karusall but leapt from the massive black beast, faltering only slightly on her skirts as she picked them up, bounding across the path that led to the stone steps.Iknew how quickly she moved becauseIran just behind her the entire way, ensuring any slip, any stumble,I’dbe there to catch her.
Sheburst into the foyer, calling out toLiawho came immediately, her face stricken with tears.
“Thisway,” she said, ushering us through the dining hall doors.
WefollowedLiaat a run, passing through the warm kitchens, then through the doors that led to the servants’ quarters.Weheaded to the only empty room.Ithad once beenSylva’s,Heimlen’slover and life source.Karusburst into the room without a knock, arriving at the bedside within seconds.Philiuslay there, his face gaunt, his wrists wrapped in clean white bandages.
“Philius!”Karusyelled, shaking him awake.Hiseyes flew open and he reactively reached for her.Hestared down at his bound wrists instead, shaking slightly at what he had done.
“Why?”Karusshook her head, gripping his arms.
“It’show she did it,” he rasped. “TheBlackFeverwas still there, inside of me through my diseased hands.”
Mystomach rolled at his admission.IheardRennmove beforeIsaw her in the corner of the small room.Herarms were crossed at her chest, her red curls unbound and falling limply at her shoulders.Herlight brown eyes were rimmed red and tears streamed heavily down her freckled cheeks.
“Howdid this happen?”Iasked her, turning so thatKarusandPhiliuscould speak in private.
Shelifted her chin in a defianceIhad never seen on her young face. “Heasked me to.So,Idid.”
Ihid none of my anger as it slid from my voice. “Howdid you do it,Renn?”
Hereyes widened slightly at my tone and she returned, “Anaxe.Wewent out into the forest, and we got rid ofherin his mind.”
Ibent my head, in a deep exhale.WhenIlooked back to her face, her lips trembled and she took a crying, shaking breath. “Shetook my sister.Shetook my friend.Shetook overPhilius’sthoughts and forced him into those trees of people!”Shewas shouting now, pointing atPhilius. “Wesolved that problem without you!Iwould have done it earlier ifI’dknown what she’d do!”
Ipulled her to me as she cried in heaving sobs at my chest.
“She’sright,”Philiussaid. “Thisis the solution we came up with and it worked.”Helifted his face back toKarus. “She’sgone from my head completely.Icouldn’t let her do this again.”Hereached out to her. “Hearme whenIsayI’drather die than let her take over me again like that.Ididn’t remember anything.WhenIfound myself back here andRenntold me what had happened, we had todosomething.”
Rennsilently cried in my arms, andIbrushed at her hair, understanding the depth of despair she held.
